Hi Guys,
Well this is a downer. I just got the 19-3 back from Smith after sending it in for endshake and timing. They sent it back with a note saying,"Gas ring separating from cylinder. Cannot repair." I never even got to fire it. They checked the box saying no parts. Does this render the gun useless? If I find a cylinder, is it a big job for a gunsmith?

There were a lot of 19-3's made. I have installed 3 different cylinders in different 19's over the years and they were good fits. Maybe I was lucky. You should be able to find one on Gunbroker for $125 or so. I paid $80 for one. Get a cylinder assembly from the same barrel length. There are several on ebay.

Thanks, 4barrel,
What exactly does the gas ring do? Please excuse my ignorance. Is it an urgent situation? By cylinder assembly, what parts do you mean?

When you remove the side plate screw and remove the cylinder assembly--buy it all for your barrel length. You can purchase it assembled. Type in S&W gas ring 19-3 on your pc.

The gas ring is a replaceable part. It prevents blow-by from the barrel-cylinder gap from getting inside the cylinder and fouling the barrel of the yoke. You should be able to buy a new one and install it yourself. It is a press in part. Numrich Arms has them for $8.00. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/306810

Great ! Thanks, KAC.

Because it's separating, does that mean it's worn?

I think I have several of those I got in a "box o' Smith parts" deal. Let me know your address in a PM and I will send you one. At least you won't be out anything if it is not the right part. Edited: Mine looks like Gun Parts #1054910, not the one referenced above. They are saying it's the same part....I don't know.
Mike

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #2470

Mike, that's very kind of you. Thanks. I'll send you a PM.
Steve

I have the cylinder out and I'm looking at the gas ring through a magnifying glass. I see no sign of separation. I assume it would be visible where the ring meets the cylinder.

Attached Images

	IMG_2081.jpg (86.9 KB, 263 views)
	IMG_2082.jpg (85.3 KB, 247 views)
	IMG_2083.jpg (63.9 KB, 271 views)

I’m no expert, but it looks fine to me.

__________________
Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

Looks fine in the pics. As long as it isn't loose it should be good to go.

KAC

Looks ok t me too. Does the ring move at all? If not, it's fine.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Thanks, Guys,
No movement at all. Not sure why they'd send it back for that reason. Meanwhile, none of the issues were addressed after they had it for 3 months! Oh well.

Good people here.

You might want to post this in the Gunsmithing section of the forum. You might get a better answer as to if your gas ring is pressed in or not. I thought the pressed in ones stuck out of the cylinder farther. I also thought the yoke looked different on the pressed in ones so a picture of the yoke should help also.
If someone could post pictures of a cylinder and yoke from a known pressed in gas ring model that could also help.
Mike

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #2470

That looks like a pressed in one. If it's loose, you can pull it out, put some Loctite #620 or #648 retaining compound on it and put it back in. It will be there a long time then.

If it's not loose, maybe they got your gun mixed up with another one and did the work for yours on a different gun.

__________________
protocalldesign.com

Sounds to me like S&W is using that for an excuse not to fix the problems you sent it to them to fix. Things are going to hell. Everyone is hiding from their customers. I don't know about timing but you can get shims for correcting endshake. Hope you can get it fixed.

-Lazy
-Degrading customer service as documented on many forum posts here
-Don't care attitude

Take your pick

__________________
aka "Mooncat"

I’m guessing they do not have anyone left with the knowledge to work on revolvers or diagnose them.

__________________
Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

Thanks guys. I sent them an email asking for clarification. Will keep you posted.

I checked on my 19 and found it is a -3 too! The gas ring looks exactly like yours. If it not loose, shoot it awhile. If it is loose, and will work its way out and maybe cause the cylinder to get get harder to turn. Then follow Protocall Design's advise.
I had a like new Model 27 that the gas ring would work it's way out on firing. I had a hard time finding the problem, but when I finally did, I hit the gas ring a couple of times with a plastic hammer, not even hard. It has "fixed" the issue for now, but have not fired it much since. So have not needed the Locktite fix. They are just press fit.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Here is a portion of the reply from Smith:


I have reviewed your photos and do see something around the gas ring. A few photos will really not reveal the same thing as an in person inspection.
If that was the reason we sent the firearm back, then there was a genuine concern that was strong enough for us to not go forward with the repair.


I dropped it off at a local shop. I'll let you know what he says.